Tender

Expressions of Interest for Management of the Blakehay Theatre

WESTON SUPER MARE TOWN COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

10 Jan 2025 at 16:30

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Weston-super-Mare Town Council is seeking Expressions of Interest for the management of the Blakehay Theatre, a historic venue located at Wadham Street, Weston-super-Mare. This procurement falls under the Business and Management Consultancy category and is currently in the tender stage. The successful organisation will require extensive experience in theatre management, including performance programming, income generation, and facility management. Interested parties must submit their Expressions of Interest by 12 noon on 14th February 2025. Key dates include the issuance of tender information in mid-February 2025, with the contract set to commence on 1st September 2025 and run until 31st August 2030. This limited procurement method is competitive, aimed at selecting organisations through a competitive quotation process below the threshold.

This tender represents a significant growth opportunity for businesses specialising in arts facility management, performance programming, and community engagement. The procurement seeks organisations that can demonstrate proven financial performance, strategic marketing, and successful audience development. SMEs and VCSEs are particularly encouraged to apply, as inclusivity is a priority for the Council, which also advocates for the Real Living Wage. The partnership model aims to boost financial performance and increase utilisation of the theatre, creating a potential for reduced subsidies over a 5-year period. This opportunity is ideal for businesses with a strong track record in similar projects and the capability to innovate and expand the theatre's reach and impact.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Expressions of Interest for Management of the Blakehay Theatre

Notice Description

Weston-super-Mare Town Council is seeking Expressions of Interest from suitably experienced and qualified organisations to undertake the management of the Blakehay Theatre, Wadham Street, Weston-super-Mare. The organisation will need to have proven and demonstrated experience in similar projects and the wide-ranging skill bases to achieve the various elements required to ensure the running of the theatre is successful which includes but is not limited to: programming of performances in line with community desires, income generation, site management, performance facilitation, marketing to include social media and managing bookings, working with existing staff teams and stakeholders. The Blakehay Theatre, a converted church, was first opened in 1986. The main house seats 207 patrons, the studio can seat up to 100, and the theatre bar 45. The accessibility of the theatre has been maximised following capital improvements in 2021 which included the installation of a second ramp, and additional level access dressing rooms on the ground floor. The main house is accessible for a small number of wheelchair users, and the bar is fully wheelchair accessible. The studio remains inaccessible by wheelchair users as a result of the inaccessible nature of the building, and lack of ability to put a lift into the building. more information can be found on the Blakehay Theatre website, and will be available at the tender stage. The aspiration of a partnership model, would be to drive financial performance and increased use, ideally resulting in a reducing subsidy over a 5-year period. As such, the organisation who is chosen must provide a business model that is ambitious and based on proven experience of past income generation and audience development. Organisations from whom Weston-super-Mare Town Council procure goods and services must demonstrate that all practicable steps are being taken to allow equal access and equal treatment in employment and service delivery, as appropriate to the nature of the contract. Following a decision made by Weston-super-Mare Town Council in July 2020, the Council is committed to working with organisations who pay the Real Living Wage to their employees. Weston-super-Mare Town Council will evaluate the Expression of Interest submissions received, and shortlist qualifying organisations to invite submit a proposal. Registration of interest does not imply inclusion on the tender list. Tender information will be issued mid February 2025. The evaluation will be in accordance with the following criteria. An aggregate of 4 or more fails will automatically result in exclusion from the tender list. full details continued in attached document. Additional information: Description of EOI continued: EVALUATION & ASSESSMENT OF EXPRESSION OF INTEREST The evaluation will be in accordance with the following criteria. An aggregate of 4 or more fails will automatically result in exclusion from the tender list. Evaluation Criteria Pass / Fail Proven experience in type and scale of work within an operational public building Pass / Fail Proven experience in a creative sector organisation, with demonstratable ability to reach income targets Pass / Fail Financial capability (adequately resourced to undertake the contract works) Pass / Fail Evidence of an excellent Health & Safety Record Pass / Fail Confirmation that employees are paid Real Living Wage. Pass / Fail Resources and availability to tender and commence the contract during the financial year 2025/2026, date of commencement to be mutually agreed. Pass / Fail Initially a meeting should be made with the CEO/Town Clerk to discuss the opportunity. Interested parties are asked to submit Expressions of Interest to include their: * Organisation name, status, address, contact name and if applicable registration number * Company bankers name and account number * Details of experience with similar management project, including reference to key individuals and their role in delivering * Confirmation that the organisation will be able to submit a tender and should they be successful, commence the contract during the financial year 2025/2026, date of commencement to be mutually agreed. Expression of Interest should be sent no later than 12 noon on Friday 14th February 2025 FAO: Sarah Pearse Town Clerk Weston-super-Mare Town Council 32 Waterloo Street Weston-super-Mare BS23 1LN Email: development@wsm-tc.gov.uk

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-2e564c32-d120-4717-bf2d-bd53982e6d7d
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1fb64515-7fe0-4716-9d1d-47d5ce6a6ed8
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Competitive quotation (below threshold)
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

98 - Other community, social and personal services

CPV Codes

79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services

79510000 - Telephone-answering services

79550000 - Typing, word-processing and desktop publishing services

79560000 - Filing services

79570000 - Mailing-list compilation and mailing services

79800000 - Printing and related services

79900000 - Miscellaneous business and business-related services

92130000 - Motion picture projection services

92310000 - Artistic and literary creation and interpretation services

92320000 - Arts-facility operation services

92330000 - Recreational-area services

92340000 - Dance and performance entertainment services

92360000 - Pyrotechnic services

92370000 - Sound technician

98200000 - Equal opportunities consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£150,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Jan 20251 years ago
Submission Deadline
14 Feb 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2025 - 31 Aug 2030 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
WESTON SUPER MARE TOWN COUNCIL
Contact Name
Sarah Pearse
Contact Email
development@wsm-tc.gov.uk
Contact Phone
01934632567

Buyer Location

Locality
WESTON-SUPER-MARE
Postcode
BS23 1LN
Post Town
Bristol
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK61 North Somerset
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
North Somerset
Electoral Ward
Weston-super-Mare Central
Westminster Constituency
Weston-super-Mare

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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